RVHS exchange student like small town life

Thursday

Sep 5, 2013 at 12:01 AM

Earlier this summer, Juliane Uebernickel was at home in Berlin, Germany wondering what life was going to be like for her in Redwood Falls.

By Troy KrauseEditor

Earlier this summer, Juliane Uebernickel was at home in Berlin, Germany wondering what life was going to be like for her in Redwood Falls.A few weeks ago, she discovered what small town life is all about as she began her student exchange experience.“I like it here, because its smaller,” Uebernickel said.The big city life is very busy she said, adding the slower pace of life is something she is really learning to appreciate.Uebernickel, who is staying with the Doug and Lynn Bunting family, said she came to the United States for a couple of reasons. She wanted to learn about a new culture, and she wanted to take her English speaking skills to the next level.“I have been learning English for seven years,” she said, adding she has been challenged so far as she tries to understand the people around her. “Sometimes people talk too fast.”Of course, as is the case anywhere, Uebernickel is also learning the unique dialect of the people in Redwood Falls.Uebernickel, who is 16, is officially classified as a junior at RVHS this school year.

Among the classes Uebernickel is taking this year are woods, transportation and engineering, strength and conditioning, AP biology, U.S. history and English. Uebernickel said she wanted to take some more unique kinds of classes, because they are not available for her at home.When she is not in class or doing homework, Ueber-nickel has been involved in cross country.As a member of a sports school in Berlin, Uebernickel said she has been involved in rowing, and she plays soccer.“My mother told me I had to be involved in a sport,” said Uebernickel. “So, I chose rowing, and I liked it.”Later this school year she is planning to try gymnastics and track.The daughter of Kathrin, who is a florist, and Rüdiger, who builds houses, said she had some friends who had taken part in student exchanges in the past.“They told me they liked it,” she said, adding they encouraged her to do it, too.Uebernickel said she is having a good time in Minnesota, adding her host family has been very friendly. Uebernickel is going to be heading home at the end of this school year, but she is hoping to take in as much of the American way of life as she can while she is here.